Fenderist: He Who Masters Fenders, Masters Cars.

kekoazilla91
Jul 18, 2023
3 min read

Experience a celebration of automotive artistry like no other at Fenderist, the ultimate car event that pays homage to the transformative power of car fenders....or so it states. Nestled in the vibrant city of Nagoya, Japan, this gathering brings together passionate car enthusiasts from across the country, showcasing their technical prowess and creative visions through the rebuilding, modification, and even creation of fenders that redefine a vehicle's aggressive stance. Join us as we dive into the thrilling world of Fenderist, where innovation knows no bounds.

Unleashing Creative Expression: At Fenderist, cars become the canvas for artistic expression, with a focus on honing technical capabilities and reimagining the very essence of automotive design. From iconic VW Bugs to nimble Kei trucks, and even high-end supercars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris, a diverse range of vehicles descends upon Nagoya to showcase their fender transformations, aggressive stance, and absolute wildness at times. The event serves as a testament to the limitless boundaries of automotive creativity, where enthusiasts push the envelope to create head-turning designs that redefine what it means to stand out on the road or hard parked outside your local conbini.

The Journey: Placed within the Nagoya Port Messe, this particular Fenderist event played host to approximately 300 cars, possibly more, both indoors and outdoors. Enthusiasts from all corners of Japan made a weekend out of it and many travel a pretty good distance to participate in this event. Meeting up with Moontech in Gotemba, myself and 5 friends traveled as a convoy for the 4 hour trip taking pictures along the way and even making some new car friends during our journey. Although the trip was a pretty good distance, the toll was only approximately 7400 yen which I thought was pretty reasonable when reflecting on the distance covered. I will also say that the tirp itself was a beautiful drive once we exited Kanagawa and made our way to Gotemba. The rest of the drive to the venue was extremely scenic, perfect for rollers.

A Haven for Automotive Enthusiasts?: Ok, ok, while that is a bit of an exudation I will say the accessibility of the event was a standout feature, as low static cars effortlessly maneuvered in and out of the venue, aided by the dedicated staff ensuring a smooth exit without any risk of damage. Beyond the captivating car displays Fenderist boasts a decently sized vendor area, although the size was moderate, all the booths had high quality goods with larger names like Greddy, T Demand, Nitto Tires, and even Moontech. Pretty much anything from motorcycle and moped parts to vehicle interior accessories, wheels, tires, and parts manufacturers, visitors can explore an expansive range of offerings. Additionally, custom shops, apparel stalls, and miscellaneous goods were found everywhere.

Unleash the Virtual Thrill: For those seeking a faint taste of adrenaline or even just wanted to take a seat because your feet are tired, this years Fenderist presented guests with a racing simulator where they could take the wheel and immerse themselves in a virtual world of speed and drifting. Settle into a race-inspired cockpit and feel the exhilaration as you compete in simulated races, pushing your skills to the limit while random guests cheered you on. In all honesty it was pretty cool and there were even some people drifting for the crowed that seemed to consistently grow. This interactive experience adds another dimension of excitement to the event, bringing virtual and real-world automotive passion together in a pretty interesting way.

Conclusion: Fenderist was a good event that in my opinion shed some light on the interesting imagination and technical mastery of car enthusiasts in Japan. As the event showcases breathtaking fender transformations, visitors are show a different side to automotive creativity where there were pretty much no limits and at times was a little out there. Fenderist offers a decent weekend car experience for enthusiasts and casual onlookers alike.